Transitional Project Managed by Housden Group Brings in Record Private Patient Revenues for Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Trust

In line with recent trends, the recent publication of NHS Trusts accounts data has revealed a considerable increase in revenue from private patients. The trend in growth is largely dominated by providers in London, however, the biggest single increase and fastest growth outside of London can be attributed to Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals.

Over the last financial year, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals Foundation Trust has seen its income from private patients double from £3.6m in the year to £6.6m, providing much needed additional funding to support NHS services for its wider population.

Tom Abell, Deputy Chief Executive at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals Foundation Trust believes their success is down to the development of their integrated private patient unit through a transitional project managed by the Housden Group. He says: “The Trusts decision to bring back in-house the management of our 8-bed cardiac services private patient ward when the contract with a private partner ended has delivered significant surpluses now reinvested in NHS care and a wide range of governance and other operational benefits. For these reasons we plan further growth across the Mid and South Essex University Hospitals Group.”

Total NHS private patient revenues are estimated at £659m up nearly 6% from £623m in 2017/18, with over half of all NHS Trust private patient revenues, £348m, accounted for by just seven central London specialist Trusts: Royal Marsden, Great Ormand Street, Imperial, Royal Brompton and Harefield, Moorfields, Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Chelsea and Westminster.

Other London hospitals aren’t faring so well: Barking, Havering, and Brentwood recorded the most significant fall, down £2.4m due to the closing of a unit previously run by a private provider. Other regions around the UK, even hospitals with world-class reputations have delivered poor income results from private patients.